LongEZ - N961EZ on the tarmac in Alamogordo, New Mexico |
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CURRENT FIRMWARE VERSION - 2.2.1 13 MARCH 2010NEW - WAITERS LANDING GEAR CONTROLLERI've developed a model that will work on almost every conceivable retractable landing gear system and configuration; Nose gear retracts for parking (most EZ canard aircraft, LongEZ, Cozy, Velocity, E-Racer, Aero-Canard, etc.) Need to compress struts prior to retract (Infinity Gear) Retractable mains only (taildragger i.e. P51) Tricycle retract (Baracuda), etc. etc. All versions are exactly the same and offer the same features (They all use the same PLC and same firmware). An "Installation Bit" is set in firmware to tell the PLC what aircraft its installed in, and how it should behave.LongEZ - Cozy - Berkut - Velocity (Canard Aircraft style)The biggest difference will those Canard aircraft with the Infinity Gear installed. Specificately, the need to compress the struts prior to retracting the gear. If the configurations "Installation Bit" is set for an Infinity Gear, then the Y4 output of Waiters Landing Gear Controller is used to control the Strut Valve, and you will not have the automatic Speed Brake retract feature. If the configurations "Installation Bit" is NOT set for an Infinity Gear, then the Y4 output of Waiters Landing Gear Controller is used to control the Speed brake Retract relay.Standard Tricycle gear or Tailwheel retractablesIf you need the nose gear to operate in conjunction with the mains, and don't want to retract the nose gear on the ground, then This will also work for you. If the configurations "Installation Bit" is RESET (C121) The nose gear follows all main gear operations (Retract / Extend). If the configurations "Installation Bit" is RESET (C122) This tells the controller that the nose gear actuator is Hydraulic and is operating in conjunction with the mains.SINGLE GENERIC CONTROLLERThis new model is a simpler version of my original "Waiter's Landing Gear Controller". This model uses a smaller (about 1/2 the size) PLC (ABOVE) Model # D0-05DR-D from Automation Direct. However, the firmware for this model still retaines most of the features as my original "Model LE-1" I've released this firmware under a GNU license. You are free to copy and distribute the software under the terms of the this license. You can Download and review the Electrical Drawings, Controller Manual, PLC Firmware AND companion software, Waiters LG Monitor, used to monitor and/or help in troubleshooting installation electrical problems.COMMON FEATURES:* Power up self test that protects against switches in "illegal" positions (i.e. switch in "RETRACT" position when airplane is parked on the ramp) * Stringent Interlocks to prevent accidental gear retraction. * One switch "UP-OFF-DOWN" handles both the mains and the nose gear, Including allowing nose gear extension / retraction while on the ground. (Canards that need to park with the nose gear retracted) * Modified Infinity Gear Strut compression algorithm. * Alarm monitor for CANOPY OPEN when taking off * Alarm monitor for GEAR NOT DOWN when landing * Alarm MUTE disables the ALARM for 10 seconds (Does NOT disable the Canopy alarm) * EMERGENCY RETRACT - Covered switch overrides ALL safeguards and retracts the gear. * Emergency electrical MAIN and NOSE Gear extension bypasses the controller. * Emergency electrical Strut extension bypasses the controller. * Waiters Landing Gear Monitor Software. Companion software runs on a PC / Laptop. Waiters Landing Gear Monitor connects to the Waiters Landing Gear Controller via the PLC PORT 2. The Controller outputs the status of its I/O flags, and firmware version number once a second. The Monitor software displays this status in a user friendly manner that can be used during installation, troubleshooting, or operation of the Landing Gear.OK, So how do you get it:If you wish to use this controller, I've made the firmware available under a GNU license agreement. 1) The documentation that I provide is of sufficient detail that a person with basic electrical installation skills should be able to connect the PLC and the interfaces. You can review the ELECTRICAL DIAGRAMS here, and review Waiter Landing Gear Controller MANUAL here. I believe its easier to install this system, than to install the systems it will be replacing. However, this is a complex system, if you are not comfortable with how this system is installed or operated, then please do not proceed. 2) Because I have ZERO control over the end use, how its wired, the quality of installation materials or workmanship. I simply cannot supply any HARDWARE warranty.COST OPTIONS - FREEYou can download the firmware and load it into your PLC. There are two ways to do this: 1) You need a full copy of DirectSoft32, the demo version won't do it. If you use DirectSoft32, you can view and edit the actual code. You can purcahse this software from Automation Direct. 2) Enclosed in the ZIP file is a utility called DNLoader. Although you can't see or edit the program, this utility will allow you to load the firmware into your PLC - READ the enclosed READ-OR-ELSE file on how to do this. If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, I can offer you a couple other options: 1) Send me your PLC (D0-05DR-D) AND Input card (D0-10ND3), I'll test it, if OK, I'll flash the program into memory, then retest it, and mail it back to you. ($50+ postage) 2) I'll supply you with the PLC (D0-05DR-D) AND Input card (D0-10ND3) that has been flashed and tested. ($250 + postage) 3) PLC (D0-05DR-D) AND Input card (D0-10ND3) , Relays w/pigtails (6), Momentary DTDT Center OFF Switch (1), starter relays (2), Diodes ($350 + postage)CONTACT ME WITH COMMENTS / QUESTIONSwaiter@iflyez.com REVISION HISTORY
2.2.1 13 MAR 2010 Turn off Y3 if nose is hydraulic.
2.2.0 28 Feb 2010 Add C121 and C122 for Nose gear.
   
Split or combined Nose operation, Hydraulic or Electric Nose Actuator
2.1.4 10 Oct 2008 Correct X106 input for Infinity Strut Switch
2.1.3 12 July 2008 Add Configuration flags to allow NO or NC hydraulic switches
   
Add the Throttle IDLE into the nose gear ground safety loop
   
Add Serial data output on COM 2 (Monitor IO and Configuration status)
2.1.2 31 MAY 2007 Correct for N.C. vs N.O. on the Hydraulic switch.
2.1.1 29 MAY 2007 Stuck MUTE button alarms ½ sec ON ½ sec OFF
2.1.0 26 MAY 2007 Change logic of Canopy Open and Airspeed Sensor
2.0.1 23 MAY 2007 INITIAL RELEASE
1.1.2 BETA NOT RELEASED
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